UPDATE: ‘Kinbaku Diaries: Part I’ now available here
ShibariClasses welcomes Milla Reika. Her new videos, which we will add soon, allow you to ‘steal’ knowledge by observation of an expert at work. For many arts in Japan, like kinbaku, this is the way a traditional apprenticeship was conducted; watching a sensei, rather than receiving direct instruction.
I have often felt that the tendency to fast-track so many skills these days means that we miss the depth and detail. In shibari, this can make one’s tying mechanical, sterile and anodyne. This series is the perfect antidote.
Taking your tying to the next level
Kinbaku Diaries, the latest project from the very talented and creative bakushi Milla Reika (Fetlife profile) is a great learning tool for rope aficionados at any level. It’s all about taking your tying to the next level.
Unlike many of the online courses that focus on the technical aspects of rope, Milla’s videos allow the viewer to absorb through observation. She records real rope scenes that are unrehearsed/non-staged. The viewer will see real kinbaku and pick up tips to improve their own kinbaku as well as rope work as the subtle lessons of the video sink in. The observant student will learn volumes about both handling rope and partner. It will help you develop a finesse in your tying and interactions.
Coming soon
The first uploads, coming soon, will feature three full length one-hour videos focusing on a different scene/tie, each is divided into three smaller segments with both female and male rope models being tied. An after-comment section follows each video, where Milla reviews what she was thinking and why she took certain actions during the scene. Some videos also feature commentary from the rope model.
“I’m learning a lot from this excellent teaching series, improving my own kinbaku in the process as there is always something new that I see with each viewing. Viewers can also contact Milla and ask questions about the videos and her techniques by participating in the forums on her page, or by emailing her directly. I’ve contacted Milla and she always gets back to me promptly with a response.
I highly recommend Kinbaku Diaries for anyone interested in becoming better at kinbaku and not just tying.”